At the restaurant, Serena’s friend asked her in Spanish. “So you’re really planning to have a baby with that side piece of yours, and Liam still hasn’t a clue?” Serena gently shook her head, her expression calm as ever: “Liam says he can’t stand emotional betrayal. If he finds out, he’ll walk right out of my life for good. That’s why I’ve been so careful.” What she didn’t realize was that I not only understood every word of Spanish, but I was already plotting my exit from her life. In a month’s time, I’d use an overseas business trip as my ticket to disappear for good and start fresh. Serena chatted fluently with her friend in Spanish, all the while feeding me pieces of fruit like nothing was wrong. She never noticed the faint redness around my eyes. She figured I didn’t understand Spanish, so she felt free to talk about this stuff right in front of me. What she didn’t know was that over the years, I’d taught myself multiple languages—five, to be exact—just to connect with her better. Even her private chats with her lover, the ones she intentionally had in Spanish? I caught every single word. She’d been hiding so much from me for so long, and turns out I had a secret of my own. In a month, I’d erase all my personal info and leave the country with a brand-new identity. By then, no matter how many resources Serena poured into finding me, I’d be gone for good. I watched the woman I’d loved for a decade in silence. Same eyes, same smile—but she felt like a total stranger now. Suddenly, exhaustion hit me like a wave. I couldn’t keep up this charade anymore. I made an excuse about being tired and needing to head back to rest. The second I stood up, Serena got up too, telling her friends in English: “You guys keep having fun, I’ll take Liam home first.” Her friends groaned playfully: “We barely get to hang out, and you’re bailing already? Party pooper.” I gently pulled my hand from Serena’s grip and said calmly, “The driver can take me home. You should stay and enjoy your friends.” Without waiting for her response, I turned and walked out of the restaurant.
Outside, the driver had been waiting for a while. Once I got in the car, I realized I’d left my jacket with Serena. I asked the driver to circle back. As we pulled up, a familiar face came into view. It was Leo—the guy Serena had been seeing for the past six months. He was dressed in a sharp dark suit, tall and good-looking, striding confidently into the restaurant. I caught my breath, my chest tightening like an invisible hand was squeezing my heart. He walked into the private room and slid right into the seat next to Serena, his arm casually draped over the back of her chair as he spoke with that clingy tone: “You called, so I dropped everything. I’ve been missing you like crazy.” As he spoke, he leaned in and gave Serena a soft, quick kiss on the lips. Serena grinned, her eyes lighting up. She reached up to the back of his neck and kissed him back, their affection on full display. Their friends wolf-whistled and teased them. “Serena’s living her best life—who wouldn’t fall for a guy like Leo?” I stood outside the door, watching it all unfold calmly as my heart slowly sank into numbness. So they all knew. They were all in on it, helping her keep it from me. And there I was, trying so hard to fit into their group, desperate to belong. Now I just felt like a pathetic joke. By the time I snapped out of it, Leo had already taken his seat. He raised his mocktail and toasted the table. One friend joked, “Serena, you’ve got it made.” “Thought you’d be the loyal type, sticking with Liam. Guess our ‘Monogamy Queen’ finally came down from her pedestal.” At the sound of my name, Serena’s smile faded. Her eyes darkened a little, and there was a warning in her voice: “I expect everyone to keep this under wraps. If Liam finds out, don’t even think about staying on my good side.” The mood instantly soured. One friend patted his chest reassuringly: “Relax, our lips are zipped. Liam’ll never find out.” “Exactly—play your cards right, and he’ll never suspect a thing. Guys are so oblivious, they only see what’s right in front of ’em.” A few others chimed in, and Serena’s expression softened a bit. To lighten things up, Leo suggested a game of Truth or Dare. They spun a bottle—whoever it landed on had to answer a question. After a few rounds, the bottle pointed to Leo. A friend grinned mischievously and asked, “When was the last time you two hooked up alone?” Leo laughed, his tone dripping with innuendo: “Yesterday. In her office.”
That got a chorus of suggestive whoops and laughter from the group. Outside the door, I gripped the hem of my shirt so tight my knuckles turned white. Yesterday. That was our fifth wedding anniversary. I’d cooked her favorite meal myself, from scratch. I sat at the dining table all night waiting, only to get a text saying she was stuck in late meetings. To keep me from getting suspicious, she even had her secretary lie for her. I remembered the day five years ago when I proposed to her. She held my hand up high, eyes teary, and announced to everyone, “I’m marrying Liam Anderson!” That day, she laughed and cried like she’d just had her biggest dream come true. But in just five years, the woman who once made me feel like I owned the world had completely broken me. I couldn’t watch anymore. I turned to leave. As I did, I ran into a waiter bringing in food. I put a finger to my lips: “Don’t tell anyone in there I was here.” To make sure he kept quiet, I slipped him some cash before walking away like nothing happened. I wiped my eyes, pulled myself together, and walked out. The driver looked confused when he saw me in just a thin shirt. “Mr. Anderson, didn’t you see Ms. Maxwell? Why don’t you wait in the car? It’s freezing out, and you don’t look so hot.” I waved him off as I got in the passenger seat: “No need. Let her keep it. Take another car back for now—I’ll need this one later.” I slid into the driver’s seat, started the car, and headed to our old business school—the place where Serena and I spent our best college years. In a haze, I could almost see her again—the bright, lively girl who used to cup my face and swear she’d love me forever. “I’ll only ever love Liam Anderson,” she’d said. “Liam, I can’t live without you,” she’d whispered. Serena, people who break promises always pay the price. So here’s my sentence: In one month, you’ll never see me again.
I sat alone on a bench by the lake for hours, lost in thought, until night finally pulled me back to reality. Five years dating, five years married—ten years of my life. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. But right now, my heart felt weirdly calm—like the storm had passed. Time heals all wounds, I guess. I stood up to leave, but a motorcycle came out of nowhere. The impact sent me sprawling, and everything went black. When I came to, I was in a hospital room. There was an IV in my hand, and the pain had dulled to a throbbing ache. The nurse changing my bandages smiled when she saw me awake: “Mr. Anderson, you got hit pretty good, but it’s just scrapes and bruises. You’ll be back on your feet in no time.” “Ms. Maxwell’s right outside. Want me to get her? She was beside herself when she heard—voice shaking and everything. That woman really cares about you.” She started toward the door, but I stopped her: “No, thanks. Let her wrap up whatever she’s doing.” The nurse nodded and left without another word. The hospital room was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat. Even with Serena whispering outside, I caught snippets: “Really? I’ll be right there.” Her footsteps faded as she walked away. I gritted through the pain, pulled out the IV, and quietly followed her out. She walked fast, heading straight for the fertility clinic floor. Leo stood there grinning, holding some papers, and they leaned in to whisper—both looking way too excited. Back in year two of our marriage, I’d brought up kids, but Serena shot me down. She said she wasn’t ready yet—afraid pregnancy would change her body, and I wouldn’t love her anymore. She said she didn’t want anyone splitting my attention—wanted all my love to herself. But right now? Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree. She did want a baby—just not with me. I didn’t get this messed-up version of love. Honestly, I was relieved we never had kids.
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